Bosnalijek is the largest industrial manufacturer of medicines in Bosnia and Herzegovina, established in 1951.
Our success is the result of deliberate strategy and joint efforts targeted at the company’s development.

Bosnalijek is the largest industrial manufacturer of medicines in Bosnia and Herzegovina, established in 1951.
Our success is the result of deliberate strategy and joint efforts for the Company’s development.

Our History

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1951

Founded on 10 January 1951, Bosnalijek was the first pharmaceutical company from the territory of former Yugoslavia to establish broad licensing and business cooperation with reputable pharmaceutical companies such as Astra, Switzerland; Asta Werke, Germany; Byk Gulden, Germany; Nattermann, Germany; Upjohn, USA and Medarmil, France.

1957

Favistan 20 mg, thyreostatic (medication used in the treatment of an overactive thyroid gland) was registered. This is the oldest product from the Bosnalijek product range.

1960

A new product – Rodavan dragées (Rodavan N) –, for the prevention and treatment of nausea, vomiting and/or dizziness associated with motion sickness, was marketed.

1969

One of the best selling Bosnalijek products was registered: the combined anti-migraine agent Nomigren (Avamigran) film tablets for the treatment of migraine.

1972

Bosnalijek merged with the Military Medical Institute to form a single company named Bosnalijek – Company, for the manufacture of medicines, medical equipment and medical products.

Two new products, still very successful today, were marketed: Enterofuryl, for the treatment of diarrhoea, and combined analgoantipyretic Kofan instant tablets, for self-treatment of mild pains of different origin, including pains associated with headache, toothache, menstrual pain and post-surgery and rheumatic pain.

1976

Lysobact (LYSO-B lungualettes), based on lysozyme, which is used in the treatment of diseases and damage to throat and mouth mucosa, was marketed. It remains one of the top selling products in the world today.

1977

Bosnalijek’s product range was expanded through the introduction of a new product in a new form: Venosan (Essaven) jelly. It is a venous therapeutic for relief of symptoms of varicose veins and tired legs.

1979

A new product was registered and marketed: Esbesul. An antibiotic containing trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, it is used for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections and uncomplicated infections of the respiratory and digestive systems.

1980

Bosnalijek’s product range was expanded through the introduction of two new products: Ketobos (Ketoprofen) and Bosnyl 50 mg capsules.

1982

The first registration of a Bosnalijek product in the former USSR: Lyso-B (Lysobact) lingual tablets. Lysobact was also Bosnalijek’s first export product on the market of the former USSR. Under the supervision of Astra, Sweden (a pioneer of GMP in Europe), internal inspection was established within Bosnalijek’s own Scientific Research and Development Institute (NIR). The Department of Quality Assurance was the beginning of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) application at Bosnalijek.

1984

Bosnalijek acquired the Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, which was part of the Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo. This year, Kamfart cream, a combined preparation against pain in rheumatic and inflammatory conditions of muscles and joints as well as sports injuries, was marketed.

1985

Bosnalijek developed its own Ordinance on Quality, establishing Bosnalijek’s quality system. It included the main guidelines from the so-called ‘Orange Book’, which is a sacred book on GMP for the pharmaceutical industry. This year, the Department of Monitoring and Improvement of the Manufacture Process (PUP) was established. Among other things, it was tasked with development and control of the application of standard operating procedures (SOP) within the company, participation in validation activities and supervision of documentation on manufacture and medicine control.

1989

Pilfud 2% lotion, a medicine from the group of anti-alopecia (anti-hair loss) products, expanded Bosnalijek’s product range. Stomatidin solution for oral hygiene and prevention of oral cavity infections was another product marketed this year.

1990

Two new products, Ercefuril (Enterofuryl) 100 mg capsules and Ercefuril suspension (Enterofuryl) for internal application, were registered for Bosnalijek’s export market in the former USSR.

1991

Since its establishment, Bosnalijek has undergone various status changes through mergers with other companies, the separation of its segments into separate companies and transformations into mandatory statutory forms, the last of which was in 1991 when Bosnalijek was organised as a joint stock company. This year, two new products were registered: Nitroglicerol 2.5 mg retard capsules and Paracetamol syrup 100 ml. Paracetamol capsules would be marketed in 1993.

1992

A new product was marketed: Bostrombin (Heparin) jelly 50.000 IU. The war did not interrupt the operating processes of Bosnalijek, manufacture continued and the quality criteria maintained. Abandoned by all of its licence partners, Bosnalijek focused all of its resources on the development of new own products and this was projected into its future. Not even the siege of the City of Sarajevo could stop the flow of people, ideas, plans and dreams. Even under such circumstances, Bosnalijek was able to acquire new knowledge, obtain professional literature and start work on projects for new facilities and new products. Bosnalijek’s new tablet manufacture was planned and designed during in this period.

1993

Paracetamol tablets marketed.

1995

The Sector for Quality Assurance (QA) was established and another new product was marketed: Argedin cream.

1996

Bosnalijek expanded its product range with another medicine: Lopril 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg tablets, from the group of ACE inhibitors.

1997

Bosnalijek introduced environmental management into its business policy and put into operation the facility for the manufacture of sterile ampoule products, which had been destroyed during the war. This year, Bosnalijek’s Scientific Committee (25 prominent experts) and Professional Committee (10 expert healthcare professionals – Bosnalijek’s associates) were established. A new medicine was introduced: Trazem 5 mg tablets.

1998

A new facility for the manufacture of solid oral forms (SOF) was put into operation with the assistance of UNIDO, UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), the Government of Japan, and the Lek pharmaceutical company. This year, cooperation with the company Ely Lilly was established.

1999

MAX information system implemented.

2000

Bosnalijek’s web page launched (www.bosnalijek.ba).

2001

A renovation and modernisation project for the facility for the manufacture of solid oral forms (SOF – STAGE 2) fully implemented. SGS from Zurich certified Bosnalijek for quality management in accordance with the ISO 9001:2000 standard, which confirmed that Bosnalijek’s quality assurance system was in compliance with this international standard.

2002

International recognition for overall business operations and commitment to quality. At the 14th international quality convention B.I.D. – QC100, held in London, Business Initiative Directions awarded Bosnalijek the prestigious International Quality Crown Award in recognition of its accomplishments. A new product was marketed: Lopril H tablets.

2003

Bosnalijek was awarded its highest recognition to date and which opened the door to the markets of the European Union: EU-GMP certificate (Successfully finalised audit by the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health of the Netherlands).

SGS from Zurich certified the Bosnalijek environmental management system as in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard. This certificate was confirmation that Bosnalijek had a healthy orientation toward and selfless relationship with the environment in which it operates. Bosnalijek successfully transferred environmental commitments to a functioning system.

2004

Bosnalijek opened a modern development centre. The Electronic Document Management System Glorya was put into operation for the modern creation, archiving and management of registration documents. A cooperation agreement was signed with the company La Roche.

2005

The Manufacture and Distribution Centre (PDC) became operational.

2006

Bosnalijek was certified in accordance with the OHSAS 180011999 occupational health and safety standard. Implementation of the SAP information system was also finalised this year.

2008

Bosnalijek was granted the environmental permit for its existing plants and facilities. Bosnalijek was the first industrial manufacturing company to obtain this permit in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This means that Bosnalijek is in full compliance with all legislative requirements for environmental protection and that it manages all by-products and performs regular measuring and control. This standard, along with the ISO 14001 standard for quality management and good manufacturing practice, forms the integrated system of management at Bosnalijek. This year, the Bosnalijek portal (www.infodoc.info/bosnalijek),was launched. It contained new information with reference to the Bosnalijek library, in-house publications, professional news and legal regulations.

2012

The International Financial Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank, went out of the ownership structure of Bosnalijek. The International Financial Corporation had been one of the major shareholders in Bosnalijek since 2001.

2013

Following its purchase of 29.95 per cent of shares, the Investment Group Haden S.A. became the largest single shareholder in Bosnalijek. This year, the change in the ownership structure also resulted in a change in the management structure of Bosnalijek.

2014

Bosnalijek achieved the best business result in the company’s history. Owing to its international focus and modern strategic approach to business operations, Bosnalijek significantly increased the export share from sales in total income in 2014.

2015

Aimed at health protection and improving the quality of life, a new product line was introduced into the Bosnalijek product range: dietary supplements. New products of Royal Jelly ampoules (ROYAL KINDER® Jelly, ROYAL ReVITA® Jelly, ROYAL SPORT® Jelly, ROYAL SUPERIOR® Jelly) and Altioks 200 mg capsules, a dietetic product containing alpha lipoic acid, were marketed.

2016

The introduction of Pangest tablets extended the range of dietary supplements. Pangest 200 mg gastro-resistant tablets contain the active substance pancreatin, which is a mixture of three digestive enzymes: protease, amylase and lipase.